Stage 14 TDF 2022 Blog: Stuck Like Glue
The climb to Mende aerodrome on Stage 14 has plenty of history. Many of us remember Steve Cummings’ win on the runway a few years ago.
One of the good things about it is that you can get two exciting races out of it – one for the stage and the other for the GC.
Today, Michael Matthews (Bike Exchange Jayco) was in the break, and he led up the final climb, the Cote de la Croix Neuve. Alberto Bettiol linked up to him, then forged ahead. Matthews didn’t give up, and shortly before the summit he passed the Italian again, and pulled away.
Matthews had time for quite elaborate celebrations on the runway, before he crossed the line in first place.
The GC Battle
Pogacar took Jumbo Visma by surprise, with an attack after just 8km. Vingegaard accelerated across to the Slovene on his own, and Wout van Aert was present to help control the situation.
Pogacar tried his luck on the final climb too, but Vingegaard showed no sign of weakness and stuck to him like glue. They crossed the line together.